Industry Grew By -0.5% In 2016; 17.7% In 2017” – President Akufo-Addo
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has
stated that the new paradigm of economic development, which his
administration is vigorously pursuing, of insisting on value-addition
industrial activities within a conducive and business-friendly
environment, can make headway.
According to President
Akufo-Addo, it is common knowledge that, in recent years, industry has
not done well, as growth rate in industry slumped to -0.5% in 2016, as
opposed to a growth rate of 15.1%, at the end of 2008.
However,
the President stated that “as a result of the normalisation of the
power situation in the country, and the implementation of government’s
pro-business policies, I believe our objective of shifting the focus of
our economy from taxation to production is bearing fruit.
“In
2017, industry grew at 17.7%, a radically marked improvement on its
abysmal 2016 performance in the last year of the Mahama administration.”
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Saturday, 13th January, 2018,
when he commissioned the Twyford Ceramics Factory, at Shama, in the
Western Region.
The President acknowledged that unless the
country industrialises with the goal of adding value to our primary
products, “we cannot create the necessary numbers of high-paying jobs
that will enhance the living standards of the mass of our people. Raw
material producing economies do not create prosperity for the masses.
The way to ensuring access to prosperity is the industrial development
of our economy.”
It is for this reason that the President
congratulated the Chairperson, Board of Directors and Management of
Sunda International for the decision to establish the factory in Shama.
The factory, he was confident, will not only reduce the country’s
ceramic tiles import bill, and thus saving the country considerable sums
of foreign exchange, but will also serve as a source of employment for
many young men and women, resident in Shama.
“I am also happy to
note that ninety five percent (95%) of the factory’s raw material needs
will be sourced locally. The promoters of this project should work
towards increasing this figure to a hundred percent (100%),” the
President added.
Industrial Development Tariff
In furtherance of Government’s commitment to improve the business environment, President Akufo-Addo revealed that Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas) has responded favourably to the request of Twyford Ceramics Limited for a reduction of the price per unit gas supply to the company, and, indeed, to industries across the country.
“Through the new Industrial Development Tariff, authorised by the
Minister for Energy, a new rate of US$6.50 per Million British Thermal
Units (MMBtu) has been approved for industry, as against the previous
rate of US$8.84 per Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu). Ghana Gas
notified the company of this in its letter dated 22nd November, 2017,”
President Akufo-Addo noted.
This Government, he said, “is determined to enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian industries.”
President Akufo-Addo assured the partners of the project that, under his watch, Ghana will be a great place to do business.
“The experienced Minister for Trade and Industry will work with you to
address any challenges that may arise, but, if, indeed, it becomes
necessary, which I hope it will not, to go higher up the chain of
authority, I want you to know that my doors will always be open. I do,
on the other hand, insist that, on your part, you play according to the
rules and regulations of the sector and the laws of the country as a
whole,” he said.
The President wished all stakeholders in the
project great success, adding that “we are on the threshold of something
remarkable in Ghana, and I am pleased to have those involved in the
Twyford Ceramics Factory as partners in our country’s exciting, new
journey.”
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